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Florida sinkholes

A sinkhole is seen in Dunedin, Fla., in February 1998. Keith Fogarty/Newscom/FILE

A large sinkhole measuring about 30 to 40 feet across opened up in Temple Terrace in Tampa, Fla., in October 1997. Newscom/FILE

A technician uses a bucket truck to examine a sinkhole that opened up in St. Petersburg, Fla., in March 2009. Newscom/FILE

In Tampa, Fla., a sinkhole opened up between Jefferson and Morgan streets early in the morning in July 2007. The sinkhole is approximately 6 feet deep and authorities say a nearby water main break is to blame. Newscom/FILE

A home is damaged by a sinkhole in Tampa, Fla., in June 2000. Newscom/FILE

In Spring Hill, Fla., an engineer examines a sinkhole in June 2002. Newscom/FILE

A sinkhole in Tampa, Fla., opened up on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in September 2004. Officials say the sinkhole was approximately 11 foot square and 12 to 15 feet deep. Newscom/FILE

A pickup trucks slowly drops into a sinkhole in Wesley Chapel, Fla., in July 2002. Newscom/FILE

A sinkhole is seen alongside a road in Tarpon Springs, Fla., in August 2009. St. Petersburg Times/Newscom/FILE

A large sinkhole endangers a home in Frostproof, Fla., on Jan. 11. Two other sinkholes developed in the area as well, causing a highway to be shut down in both directions. Pierre DuCharme/The Ledger/AP

A sinkhole formed behind a store, Handy TV Sales and Service, in Spring Hill, Fla., in April 1998. The hole grew to about 150 feet across and 80 feet deep. Newscom/FILE

A sinkhole opened up in the parking lot of Palm Plaza business park in Palm Harbor, Fla., in February 1998, swallowing a man's car. Newscom/FILE